Political commentary from the LA Times

North Korea shells South Korea: Twitter users react

As news of North Korea’s shelling of a populated South Korean island broke late Monday, Twitter users shared their reactions on the social network.

The Twitter conversation tags #prayforkorea, #koreapeace and #koreas all trended on Twitter. A selection of Tweets are below.

A statement released by the White House said: "Earlier today North Korea conducted an artillery attack against the South Korean island of Yeonpyeong. We are in close and continuing contact with our Korean allies.

The United States strongly condemns this attack and calls on North Korea to halt its belligerent action and to fully abide by the terms of the Armistice Agreement.

"The United States is firmly committed to the defense of our ally, the Republic of Korea, and to the maintenance of regional peace and stability."

As of 1:20 a.m. PST, South Korea said it had returned fire after North Korea shelled the island of Yeonpyeong near the border in the Yellow Sea, killing at least one. North Korea, which blocks its ...

... citizens’ access to Twitter, has not commented. The two nations have remained on a war footing since the breakdown of a 1953 treaty.